But oil companies are not selling it for $3/gallon.
First off, from a 42 gallon barrel, you get approximately 12 gallons of diesel and 19 gallons of gasoline. So 31 gallons of product. Assuming there is no loss of product, the crude to make this costs about $45. It will sell for $62 give or take. Probably less since diesel is priced lower than gasoline right now. Out of that $17 difference between the costs of 31 gallons of crude and what they might sell 31 gallons of gas and diesel, they have to build and staff a refinery, comply with all EPA, OSHA and other health rules AND provide benefits and health care to workers.
Second, July RBOB is going for around $2 gallon right now.
Third, at least where I live, there is $0.184 federal tax + $0.19 state tax + 6.25% sales tax on gasoline to reach the price of about $2.889/gallon.
I believe the sales tax is charged as a percentage of the $2.00+0.19+0.184 or on $2.374 adding another $0.148 per gallon, making it about $2.422
That doesn't even count delivering it to the station. So, out of the remaining $0.467 it has to be delivered to the station and then the station owner might make a profit on each gallon sold.
Not really seeing where fuel is over-priced based on the various and sundry costs associated with drilling for a barrel of oil and turning it into a gallon of gasoline or diesel.
Originally Posted By: grampi
Originally Posted By: javacontour
Originally Posted By: grampi
Why do people feel it's okay for the industry to charge whatever they want when there are no other viable alternatives to gas/diesel?
Why do people who don't have their time, talent or treasure invested think they have the right to tell others what they should charge?
If you lower the price below the costs to bring gas to the pump, fewer suppliers will do it. If you think you can do it cheaper, get some investors and buy or build your own operation. Then you can put your money into it and right the wrongs you perceive.
Nobody's saying that any product should be sold for less than what it costs to bring it to market, but it certainly doesn't cost oil companies anywhere near $3 a gal to bring gas to market...when crude is going for less than $60 a barrel, selling gas at $3 is gouging, I don't care what anybody says...